Apparatus for producing protective binding from flat stock



Feb. 24, 1953 s. T. CUMMING 2,629,297

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PROTECTIVE BINDING FROM FLAT STOCK Filed Nov. 16, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet l I /M /Z0 12 l Q Q INVENTOR. & g Giza/ye 7. Cam/77? Feb. 24, 1953 a. 1-. CUMMING 2,629,297

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PROTECTIVE BINDING FROM FLAT STOCK 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 16, 1950 INVENTORl Geo/ye T k/mm/fl q BY p K wmmhgul ATTORNEK Feb. 24, 1953 UMMING I 2,529,297

G. T. C APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING PROTECTIVE BINDING FROM FLAT STOCK Filed NOV. 16, 1950 '3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I I a6 a4 7 I 346 4% o o o v o O 0 O 70 a2 /?0 I555 66 M M? 4 l W 72 //2 i 26 70 WMMWMN 24 w w /4 INVENTOR. fiea'xye famm/lfg ATEORNEE 6 orroll upon itself to Patented Feb. 24, 1953 APRARATUS FOR PRODUCING PROTECTIVE BINDING FROMFLAT STOCK George T. Cumming, St. Edward, "Nebr ass'ignor 'to Luther D. Tillery and'Hubert B. Tillery,both

of-Kansas :City, Mo.

Application November 16,.1-950,.S.e|:ial.No.195,987

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine fforproducins a protective 'binderin the nature .of an elo gated, tubular member .haviinga channel adapted for mounting upon a conventional clotheshan er in covering relationship to a portion thereof, the primary object being to speed upthemanufactl ,ing steps and toproduce amore satisfactory hindiing quickly, easily and without undueexnense.

It .is well known that conventional wire clothes hangers commonly used particularly .by cleaning establishments, are not entirely .satisfaotorywfor supporting clothing in draped .or looped relationship to the horizontal .portion of the hanger .because of the crease that issoon iormediin thegarment after the same hangs .i-or a period of time. Consequently, various attempts have been .made to enlarge the horizontal part of .thehangerhy a protective binding usually made from cardboard and adapted for insertion upon the hanger subsequent to its manufacture. While such bindings take various forms, one of the most satisfactory types is that which constitutes an elongated, tulbularhody usuallyof cardboard having a channel between the tubes for at least partially embracing the normally horizontal wire portion of the hanger. Such protecting .bindingstrips have the ends thereof slit to hold .the same .in place and through the provision of stampings, the protecting device can be rendered more eiilcient .by utilization of the .stampings as an anti-skid means.

Accordingly it is the most importantiobject of the present invention to provide apparatus for producing the aforesaidldevices having means-for feeding a continuous strip or tape .from .a :roll

thereof, applying adhesive to one face of the tape, folding the marginal edges .of :the strip against the adhesively coated face thereof presenting a pair of side-byside, parallel tubular portions and a channel between the tubes, .all automatically and continuously as the strip is fed through the machine.

A further object of this invention .is the provisicnof number of .diemembers disposed alone the path of travel of the aforesaid tape,-ea ch having a pair of side-bysside interconnecting bores through which the tapeis fed and caused to fold present the .hangerreceiving :channel. 7

.Another object of this invention is the provision of a plurality of opposed pressure rollers .for moving the tape as the same is formed and .glued, the rollers serving additionally to press the .foldedmarginal edges of the .tape against the-adhesive face of the strip until such time as adherence is efiected.

Other objects include the way {in which a speciailily formedrotata'ble cutter "i provided to sever the formed tape into predetermined lengths; "the way in which the cutter operates to slit the ends of the lengths adapting the ifinis'hed device for mounting upon a hanger; the way 'in which a perforator is provided for :the tape to present a (device that more effectively holds the garment on :the hanger; the manner of heating the strip after folding thereof to enhance the adhesive bond; and many otherv'more minor objects ia'll elf-which :will be made clear 'or become apparent as the following specification"progresses, reference being had to theaccompanyin'g drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of apor'tion of the apparatus Tor producing protective-binding from fflat 'stockmade pursuantto the present invention.

Fig.1ais.arside elevational View of theappa- .ratus and comprising the :remainder thereof.

"Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, enlarged perspective view of a portion of the apparatus.

Fig. ".3 is a fragmentary, elevationalviewyshow- 'ing that side of the apparatus opposite to that illustrated in'Figs. land in.

Fig. 4 i atransverse, cross-sectional vi ewtaken online ilV-IV 0f'Fig.,1'.With the article-forming strip omitted.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional View taken on line V-V of "Fig. 1 with the article-forming "strip omitted.

Fig. 6 is .a cross-sectional view "taken on line VI- VI of Fig. 11 with the article-forming s'trip omitted.

Fig. '7 "is an end .elevational view of :the finished binder.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line VIII-VIII of'Fig. 1.

Fig. 9 is a transverse, sectional view taken on line .IX-QIX of Fig. .1 looking in "the direction of the arrows with the article-.iorm'ing strip omitted.

Fig. 10 is a transverse, cross-sectional view taken on line X-'X of Fig.2; and

Fig. .11 is .a fragmentary. perspective view of a coat hanger showing the protective bindin formed. by the apparatus of "this invention operably mounted on thelhanger.

The apparatus of this invention includes arelaitively long frame illustrated particularlylin Figs.

1 and 1a,;and broadly designated .by the numeral 2 l1, whic'hframeiZll may.convenientlylhe supported atja desired height through .the medium ofla plurality of legs. 22 as illustrated.

The device .to he produced :byrthe apparatus is -=illustrated .in Figs. 7 and 11 and designated by-the of spaced-apartidlers 38 carried by frame numeral 24. It is made in its entirety from fiat stock in the nature of an elongated, flexible strip 26 that is initially wound on a roll 28 rotatably supported in any suitable manner below frame 26 at one end thereof (see Fig. 1). The particular nature of the fiat, relatively narrow tape-like strip is of no significance but it is contemplated that the same be of a relatively stiff cardboard.

One face 38 of the strip 26 or at least a por tion thereof, is initially coated with an adhesive stored within an open top vessel 32 beneath frame 28 and between roll 28 and the proximal end of the frame 28. The tape '26 passes from the roll 28 over an idler 34 and thence over a roller 36 comprising an applicator for the glue within the vessel 32 and rotatably mounted on frame 28 therebeneath and disposed for rotation within the glue in vessel 32. It is noted in Fig. 1, tape 26 passes over the roller 36 and beneath a pal}: and adapted to hold the tape 26 tightly against applicator 36. From the idlers 38 and the roller 36, strip 26 is wound about a rotatable member 48 carried by frame 28 at one end thereof and beneath a rotatable perforator 42. The perforator 42 is disposed to puncture the strip 26 throughout its length and midway between the longitudinal edges thereof presenting a row of struck-out portions 44in the finished article 24 as illustrated in Fig. 11 of the drawings.

Thestrip 26 is fed along the frame 20 from the roll 28 over the gluing means and perforating means just above described by a plurality of sets of opposed pressure roller assemblies carried by the frame 28. Each assembly is broadly designated by the numeral 46 and includes an enclosed up-standing frame 48 mounted upon the frame 28having a block 58 therewithin swingably mounted on a transverse shaft 52.

A second shaft 54 on block 58 parallel with supporting shaft 52 is mounted for swinging movement within an arcuate slot 56 formed in the frame 48 and through which shaft 54 passes. Shaft 54 carries a roller 58 on one end thereof exteriorly of the frame 48 and a gear 68 that is in mesh with an underlying gear 62 that is mounted on a shaft 64 traversing the frame48 and rotatably carried thereby. The ends of the shaft 64 extend beyond frame 48 and carry a roller 66 and a gear 68, the roller 66 directly underlying the roller 58. a

All of the gears 68 and shafts 64 are driven by a common elongated shaft I8 rotatably carried by the frame 28 in parallelism with its longitudinal axis, the shaft I8 having. a pinion 12 thereon for each gear 68 respectively. The elongated drive shaft I8 for the assemblies 46 is also mounted for reciprocable movement on its longitudinal axis and a lever 'l4 operably connected thereto and swingably secured to frame 28 serves as a means for shifting the pinions 12 into and out of engagement with the respective gears 68.

Rotative movement is imparted to the shaft I8 through the medium of an electric motor or other prime mover I6, mounted in any suitable manner below frame 28 intermediate the ends of the latter and a pulley I8 on a shaft 88 travers- I mesh with the gear 62.

I formed strip 26.

end thereof and carried by frame 48 with spring 88 bearing against the block 58, thus the rollers 58 and 66 are'yieldably held biased toward each other and the tension is adjusted by means of the screw 86. Likewise, the gear 68 is held in It is clear that when the strip 26 is threaded between the plurality of opposed pressure rollers 58 and 66, it will be moved on its longitudinal axis along the frame 28.

Frame 28 carries a guiding means for the strip 26 taking the form of a pair of spaced-apart rollers 88 mounted on a U-shaped bracket 82 through the medium of swingable L-shaped arms 94. An up-standing member 96 on the frame 28 mounts the U-shaped support 82 through. the medium of a bolt 98. The strip 26 is initially folded or bent in the shape shown by Fig. 9, arcuate transversely by means of a suitably shaped funnel I88 carriedby the frame 28 and the rollers '38 contact the longitudinal edges of the strip 26 as shown in Fig. 9. Rollers 88 are held biased downwardly against the taut strip 26 by means of a spring I82 for each arm 94 respectively.

From the funnel I88, the strip 26 passes through a plurality of substantially identical die members I84, I86 and I88. These die members are mounted on the frame 28 in alignment and in spaced-apart relationship between the funnel member I88 and the first assembly 46. The cross-sectional contour of the die members is illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 and it is seen that each includes a pair of side-by-side substantially parallel bores II8 that are in registering relationship. The diameters of the bores progressively decrease in diameter as the first assembly 46 is approached.

From the time that the strip 26 enters the funnel I88 until the product 24 is completely formed, the longitudinal marginal edges of the strip 26 are progressively rolled and folded over the adhesively coated face 38 thereof by the funnel member I88 and by the die members I84.

' I66 and I88. It is seen that these forming dethat the funnel I88 and the die members I84- I86I88 cooperate to produce the desired shape and that by virtue of the lowermost rollers 66 having a peripheral groove formed therein as shown in Fig. 4, the outermost face of the strip 26 opposite to face 38, is rounded in the manner illustrated in Fig. '7 of the drawings. 7

After the strip 26 leaves the die member I88. it is directed into a channel-like track II8 that extends along the frame 28 and is carried thereby. Track H8 is provided with an opening in the bottom thereof for clearing each roller 66 respectively as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Additionally, track II8 carries a plurality of vertical pins I 28 adjacent each assembly 46 respectively and carried by an L-shaped bracket I22. The pins I28 project downwardly into the track H8 and within the channel II4 .of the Thus pins I28 cooperate with the rollers 58-66 in holding the edges H6 in contact with the face 38 of strip 26 as the latter progresses along the frame 28 and through the track H8.

In order-"to insure a positivebond between the marginal edges I -I 6 and the face :30 of strip, there is provided a heater I24-on thetrack lIQIIl comprising :an elongated tubular body having a partition I26 therein presenting a lower compartmentfor receiving aheating element I2 8 and an upper compartment through which the strip 26 ,passes.

Before the strip 26 enters the heater I24, it is subjected to a rotatable cutting assembly I30 for severing strip 26 into desired lengths as illustrated at 24 in Fig. 11. Assembly I30 includes a head I32 mounted upon a horizontal shaft I34 above the advancing strip 26. Head I32 removably mounts a cutter including a blade I36 that traverses the longitudinal axis of the strip 26 and an intersecting knife I38 that is disposed within a vertical plane passin through the abutting marginal edges H6 of stri 26. That end of the shaft I34 opposite to head I32 carries a sprocket I40 over which is passed an endless chain I42.

An idler shaft I44 underlying frame 20 and parallel with shaft I34 carries a sprocket I46 for the chain I42. An endless chain I 48 is trained over sprockets I50 and I52 on shafts 60 and I44 respectively.

The entire gear ratio of the apparatus is so formed as to cause cutting of the strip 26 by the cutter blade I36 into desired lengths 24 upon each complete revolution of the head I32. Simultaneously, with the severing of the strip 26 by blade I36, the blade I38 forms a relatively short notch or slit I54 in the stri 26 at the abutting marginal edges II6, thereby presenting as shown in Fig. 11, an interlocking means for the devices 24 when the same is mounted upon the normally horizontal stretch (not shown) of a conventional wire garment hanger I56 shown fragmentarily in Fig. 11. The struck-out portions 44 prevent slippage of garments draped over the device 24.

An idler I57 rotatably mounted beneath the strip 26 serves as a supporting anvil for the strip 26 as the cutter blades I36 and I38 move into contact therewith. The severed lengths of folded and formed strip 26 are directed into heater I24 carried by frame 20 and are advanced to the discharge end of the frame 20 by means of a pair of flexible, endless belt-like conveyors I60 and I62. The conveyors I60 may comprise any suitable material but in the instance illustrated, it is preferred to use a flat spring-like metallic tape. Each conveyor I60 is carried by a pair of spacedapart sheaves I64 and I66 mounted by the frame 20 for rotation on vertical axes. The mounting shafts for the sheaves I64 are each provided with a gear I68 on the lowermost end thereof, each of which is in turn in mesh with a gear I on a rotatable horizontal shaft I12 beneath frame 20 and driven from the shaft I44 through the medium of an endless chain I14. The proximal side-by-side parallel lengths of the conveyors I60 and I62 that frictionally engage and receive the severed lengths 24, move the same along a channel-like track I16 for discharge at that end of the frame 26 opposite to the perforatin means 40-42.

The entire apparatus above described is obviously operable with very little workman attention.

As soon as the roll 28 is mounted and the tape 26 threaded through the machine, swinging of the lever I4 will place all of the moving parts into operation and the severed protecting devices 24 may be collected at the discharge end of the frame 20. All of the folding and rolling of the marginal edges H6 of the strip 26 is automatic by virtue hi the the members I100. 515.04, I06 and I08 and the rollers 58 and 66 cooperating with the pins I20 press the edges II 6 tightly against the adhesive :surface of strip :26.- *Severance into predetermined lengths and forming of the slits I54 is also automatic and as just above described, "the conveyors I60 and IE2 receive the lengths and move the same along a desired distance before-final feeding into a receptacle therefor.

Many details of construction may be changed or varied within the spirit of this invention and therefore, it is desired to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Let ters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for producing an elongated, tubular protective binding having a longitudinal channel, said apparatus including a frame; opposed pressure rollers carried by said frame for advancing a flexible, binding-producing strip along the frame as the strip is fed to the frame at one end thereof and passed between the rollers; structure disposed for engagement with one face of the advancing strip for applying adhesive thereto; and a number of spaced-apart, aligned, stripreceiving die members on the frame for folding the marginal edges of the strip upon said one face thereof as the strip is advanced, presenting a pair of spaced tubular portions and a channel between said portions, said rollers being disposed Within the channel to force said edges against said one face of the strip for joinder therewith through the medium of the adhesive thereon, there being a plurality of pins carried by the frame between the tubular portions in overlying sliding engagement with said edges for holding the same against unfolding.

2. Apparatus for producing an elongated, tubular protective binding having a longitudinal channel, said apparatus including a frame; a pair of opposed pressure rollers carried by said frame for advancing a flexible, binding-producing strip along the frame as the strip is fed to the frame at one end thereof and passed between the rollers; structure disposed for engagement with one face of the advancing strip for applying adhesive thereto; a number of spaced-apart, aligned, strip receiving die members on the frame for folding the marginal edges of the strip upon said one face thereof as the strip is advanced, presenting a pair of spaced tubular portions and a channel between said portions, said rollers being disposed within the channel to force said edges against said one face of the strip for joinder therewith through the medium of the adhesive thereon; and means adjacent one of the rollers and extending between said tubular portions, holding the same spacedapart, thereby maintaining said channel to receive the one roller.

3. Apparatus for producing an elongated, tubular protective binding having a longitudinal channel, said apparatus including a frame; opposed pressure rollers carried by said frame for advancing a flexible, binding-producing strip along the frame as the strip is fed to the frame at one end thereof and passed between the rollers; struc ture disposed for engagement with one face of the advancing strip for applying adhesive thereto; a numberof spaced-apart, aligned, strip-receiving die members on the frame for folding the marginal edges of the strip upon said one face thereof as the strip is advanced, presenting a pair of spaced tubular portions and a channel between said portions, said rollers being disposed 77 within the channel to force said edges against said one face of the strip for jolnder therewith through the medium of the adhesive thereon, there being a plurality of sets of said rollers spaced along the frame; and pins between the 5 sets and carried by the frame between the tubular portion for holding the edges against unfolding.

GEORGE T. CUMMING.

8 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 7 523,833 Ferry July 31, 1894 1,620,239 Smith Mar. 8, 1927 2,031,879 Daneke et al. Feb. 25, 1936 

